Female travellers should exercise caution at all times. Foreign Affairs Canada publishes a booklet, Her Own Way, specifically targeted at female travellers. Its prime objective is to inform and inspire Canadian women to travel safely.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Traffic congestion is severe in urban areas. Motorcycles and scooters weave in and out of traffic. Mountain roads are narrow, winding, and poorly banked. Taxi drivers tend to speak little or no English. Have your destination written in Chinese. The use of cellular phones while driving is strictly prohibited.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Taiwan is located in an active seismic zone. Strong earthquakes measuring between 4 and 7 on the Richter scale have occurred. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei in the event of an emergency.

Taiwan is subject to typhoons. The rainy (monsoon) season extends from June to early October. Upland areas in Nantou county and rural areas are prone to flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains. The cross-island highway linking Hualien and Taichung is treacherous and frequently closed to clear landslides. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. The Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan maintains a Web site, which provides information on typhoons and earthquakes.

See our Current Issues page for information on typhoons and monsoons.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Men between the ages of 18 and 45 who hold a Taiwanese passport or who were born in Taiwan may be subject to compulsory military service. It is imperative that such persons contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ottawa (see below) before visiting Taiwan. Dual nationals who visit Taiwan on their Canadian passport may also be required to perform compulsory military service.

Foreign Affairs Canada publishes a booklet, Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

Some narcotics offences are punishable by death.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Taiwan - TAIPEI, Trade Office of Canada
Address: 13th Floor, 365 Fu Hsing North Road, Taipei, 105, Taiwan
Tel.: 886 (2) 2544-3000
Fax: 886 (2) 2544-3590
E-mail: tapei@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.canada.org.tw

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 00-800-2326-6831 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.

Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Taiwan is 00-801-12-0012, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Taiwan and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on March 16, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

For further information, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, World Exchange Plaza, 45 O'Connor Street, Suite 1960, Ottawa, ON, K1P 1A4 (tel.: 613-231-5080/ fax: 613-231-7112/ e-mail: teco@on.aibn.com/ Web site: www.taiwan-canada.org) or the Office in Toronto (416-369-9030) or Vancouver (604-689-4111).

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Taiwan. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the island. Failure to do so may result in immigration authorities refusing entry and deportation. Return airline tickets are also required.

The Government of the People's Republic of China has modified requirements for the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens born in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan. Visas will no longer be issued to Canadian passport holders whose place of birth is inscribed as Hong Kong HKG, Macao MAC, or (city name) TWN. Canadian passports issued to Canadians born in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan are now issued only with the place of birth. There will no longer be a three letter country code.

For further information, please refer to the Passport Office's Web site.

Passengers will have their body temperatures checked through infrared monitors prior to arriving at the immigration/customs counters. Those arriving from China, Macau and other countries affected by Avian Flu will be given a form as a reminder to take their temperature for 10 consecutive dates.  Persons with flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle ache, lethargy, sore throat) must report to a hospital.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 30 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays less than 30 days)
Student Visa: Required

It is illegal to work in Taiwan without a work permit.  Those who are caught working illegally, even for one day, will be deported and will not be allowed to return to Taiwan for at least 5 years.

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Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the New Taiwan dollar. Credit cards are accepted in many shops, restaurants, and hotels in major cities, but are not widely recognized elsewhere. Foreign currency and traveller's cheques can be exchanged at most major banks and hotels.

Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Taiwan (capital: Taipei) is an island off the southeast coast of China. The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Tourist facilities are widely available. CKS International Airport is located 40 km southwest of Taipei. For emergency assistance, call 110 for police and 119 for ambulance and fire.

Contracts to teach English (arranged by recruiters in Canada) should be carefully reviewed before being signed. Some have been changed after the fact. Ensure all terms and conditions of employment are clearly stated in the contract before accepting an offer. Written contracts are not always binding documents. However, verbal agreements may take precedence over written agreements.

Foreign Affairs Canada published a guide, Teaching English in Taiwan (on-line only), to provide Canadians with basic information on this subject.



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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

N/A

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

N/A

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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